On the Twelfth Day of Christmas

A/N: In which each day, Kagome gives Inuyasha a gift signed by his Secret Santa in hopes of bringing back his Christmas Spirit.

I got the idea from Hallmark as a prompt. Im just using the idea for the story, the only thing I kept the same from the movie is the newspaper, so don't sue. I do not own Hallmark or Inuyasha and Co. So, enjoy! I'll post a ficlet a day until December 25th. Enjoy everyone!

DONE! FINISHED! FINITO!

Day Twelve December 23, 2016:

-IK-

Kagome finished typing up the last article for the Shikon Gazette. Sighing, she pressed print and shut down her desktop for the last time. Kagome looked at her desk, littered with pictures from the past ten days she spent with Inuyasha and the last few with Rin as well. When the memory of the fight resurfaced, Kagome willed the tears away, gathered all the photos of the two of them and put them in a purple folder. She placed the folder in her bag, stood up and made her way to Miroku's office.

"Kagome-"

She held up a hand. "I made up my mind. I am going home to pack. I love you Roku." Kagome hugged his neck.

"I love you too, Kags." Hugging her back tighter than he meant to, Miroku kissed her temple before she pulled away.

"Take care of Sango."

"I promise."

Kagome kissed his cheek, leaving the Shikon Gazette for good. Walking down the street to Inuyasha's office, she took a deep breath then walked through the door. Kagome ascended the stairs until she was met with Sango sitting at her desk. "Kagome?" The brunette closed her laptop at the site of her friend. "What are you doing here?"

The messenger bag hanging on Kagome's hip held two important items. She dug through it and produced a rolled up newspaper, secured in a red ribbon, and a familiar, brown package. "I need you to give these to him for me."

Sango looked at the gifts and sighed. "He doesn't want them. In fact he is taking a personal day and refuses to be bothered."

"Please try?" Kagome held them out to her once more.

Sighing in defeat, Sango took them. "I'll try."

"Thank you, Sango." They shared a smile and a brief hug. When Kagome was gone, Sango texted Inuyasha and told him what happened. He replied with a Keh, whatever and she was left with the only thing she could do, drive to his house and shove the gifts down his throat.

-IK-

Inuyasha tossed his cell phone on the couch. The text he received infuriated him immensely. What could Kagome possibly get out of giving him another gift? Pfft, like I'm going to take it. Huffing loudly, Inuyasha plopped on the couch. "Rin! Are you okay in there?"

His eight year old niece came walking though the archway of his kitchen with two bowls. "Mom said to stop being a Debbie Downer."

The half-demon growled. "Tell your nosey mother to leave me alon-" A furious gust of wind assaulted him and he gulped at the spike of youkai in the house. "-on second thought, is that food? Tell her thank you."

The wind ceased. "Nice cover up." The child smiled and hopped up beside her uncle, handing him a bowl of ramen.

"This is what I'm talking about. Thanks Kagura!"

"You're welcome, jerk-face!" Came the angry reply.

Rin giggled as her uncle gulped once more. They shared a laugh before digging into the beefy, ramen goodness that his sister-in-law made. When Rin finished her bowl, in which Inuyasha had eaten four before she finished one, she took Bang and ran upstairs to the guest room. Kagura emerged from the kitchen and leaned against the wall. Inuyasha heard her, but he refused to acknowledge her. Kagura's crimson orbs dug into his skull. "What?!" He barked.

"Watch you're tone." She made her way to her purse on the coat rack and dug around before pulling a white envelope out. The wind demon sat next to her brother-in-law, placing the envelope into his lap.

"What is it?"

"Open it."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and cautiously flipped the tab up before pulling out the contents. In his hand he held a thin stack of glossy pictures. "What tha-" flipping through each one, his eyes widened, "-where did you get these?"

"You're niece is a smart one. She took multiple pictures on Kagome's phone one day and then sent a ton of them to her father along with a few from y'all's snow day."

Inuyasha looked back at the prints and thumbed one of him and Kagome kissing on the night they went caroling. He had her wrapped in his arms securely, clawed hands dipped into her raven strands and their mouths fused together lovingly. Rin had captured a beautiful shot of them. The next one was of the three of them sledding down Hilltop. Inuyasha was grinning while his two favorite girls sported laughing faces. A smile formed on his lips until the previous fight suddenly surfaced in his memory. He scoffed, tossing the photos onto the coffee table. "So what? I liked her, big deal."

Kagura folded her arms across her chest. "Ehh! Try again, buddy."

"What do you mean try again?"

"You. Love. Her." Kagura enunciated every word with a poke to his chest, right over his heart.

He batted her hands away. "What do you mean love? She used me, Kagura. That's low."

"Stop acting like a wounded puppy. I don't think for one moment that she did what you think. The gifts were nice and they made you so happy. I have never seen you this happy, not since Izayoi was alive." Kagura's voice softened as she placed her hand gently over his.

Inuyasha held his scowl for as long as he could, before he deflated with a frown. "Look, I get you're trying to be nice, which is beyond weird, but she did what she did and I can't just get over it. I have never actually been in love before."

Kagura chuckled. "I knew it."

"So what? It doesn't matter now."

Kagura patted his hand before standing. "It matters a great deal." With that, she walked away leaving him to stew in his emotions.

He waited until she was gone before gathering the photos back up. Inuyasha took his time going through them, running his fingers over her smiling face. Kagome invaded his every thought and to say this both delighted him and angered him was an understatment. "Kagome-" The doorbell rang, interrupting his thoughts. "What now?"

Inuyasha drug himself to the door and when he opened it, he was greeted with an angry Sango. "Here." The gifts from earlier were shoved into his chest. "I demand you open them."

Anger flared back up within him. "No."

"Now." She hissed. "Kagome is innocent in this whole thing."

"Yeah right. I-" Sango smacked him with the rolled up newspaper. "Ow! Bitch." He seethed rubbing his forehead.

"Now." If looks could kill, Sango would have been six feet under. Rolling her eyes, she shoved them at him again. "Oh stop glaring at me, you immature baby. Just open them. Please."

"Fine!" Growling, he snatched the items up. Sango followed him into the house as he flung himself on the couch. Noticing the photos of them everywhere, she crossed her arms and smirked at him. "Shove it." He hissed.

The smirk remained on her smug face. Inuyasha rolled his eyes as well as the newspaper. On the front page was the photo of Kagome and himself nine years prior when they built their first snowman. A strangled noise came from him as he read the article:

"Nine years ago, I was an awkward, homesick Senior in college and a blizzard stood between me and my family for Christmas. Inuyasha Tashio delivered me home. In my time of sadness and anger, Inuyasha was there for me for no other reason than it just being the right thing to do. So when I learned how Christmas had become a void for him, I wanted to make him whole again.

My plan was to deliver to him twelve gifts for each of the twelve days of Christmas, but I fell short by one. And although this article has no rhyme, glitter or charm, it has the one gift I never enclosed: my heart. Its the best I can do. Merry Christmas, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha was gripping the paper so tight, the edges tucked in his claws ripped. He flung the paper down and scooped up the box. Inside was a note along with a large, red heart buried beneath white fluff.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

My Secret Santa gave to thee;

My heart is yours,

And I'm sorry I lied,

But the past becomes a present,

With me at your side.

I'm sorry, Inuyasha.

Kagome -You're not-so-Secret Santa

Inuyasha sagged back as the note fell before he jumped up and stormed from the house. Sango stood awkwardly for a moment when Kagura and Rin appeared from upstairs. "Where did he go?"

Sango shrugged at the woman. "He read this paper and then stormed out." Bending over to pick up the discarded paper, Sango read the same article. "Oh my-" a huge grin broke out across her face.

Kagura shifted to get a better look as Rin knelt down on her knees to gather the fallen note in her claws. When she read the letter, she looked up at the ceiling and grinned. Thank you. Rin clutched the note to her chest.

Sango and the Tashio women smiled.

-IK-

Kagome gave one final look around her room before she stuffed the remaining clothes in a box. Wiping her brow with the back of her hand, she sighed, picking up the box, and walking down the stairs. "Kiki, you there?" When she received no answer, she set the box on the couch. "Kiki?" Looking around, Kagome was surprised to find a box laying in front of the door. I thought I gave Sango the gift today.

"Kagome? Are you calling for me?" Kikyou peeked around the corner of the kitchen as she watched her sister pick up a package from the hardwood floor. "What's that?"

"I don't know. I thought I gave this one to Sango, but it's not from me." She said with a shrug.

"Open it then."

Kagome smiled and peeled the paper back. A red box lay beneath the brown and a beautiful gold and silver star decorated the lid. Curious, Kagome opened the lid to reveal a note, handwritten in sloppy writing, and a golden, star-shaped ornament covered in golden glitter. Choking back a sob, Kagome lifted the ornament gently.

"It's beautiful."

Kagome nodded and whispered. "I can't believe he remembered."

"Remembered what?"

"How mom collects star-shaped ornaments. I told him how much I loved looking for unique ones for her." Kikyou gave her sister a soft smile as she picked up the note and handed it to her. Kagome swapped the items, clutching the note a little too tightly a she read:

The best of the twelve secret gifts, Kagome, was the gift of Christmas.

I thought I'd lost it forever after my mother died.

And for that, I will always love you.

Here's to many more with me by your side.

Inuyasha.

Kagome gasped as her big, brown eyes lined with tears. "Here." She handed Kikyou the gifts and flung her coat and scarf on. "I have to go find him."

Kikyou just chuckled. "Go."

Kagome kissed her twin's cheek. Flinging the door open, she paused when she caught the man of her dreams, standing on the sidewalk.

"I thought you'd never open tha door." He grinned.

Kagome descended the icy steps slowly until her feet hit the sidewalk and then she was running towards him. He opened his arms, welcoming his wench as she collided into him. Her lips settled on his with a fiery passion. Clawed fingers dug into her hair as he gripped the base of her neck, while the other hand drifted to her waist to haul her against him. Kagome's body molded to every curve of his body like a perfect puzzle piece.

Kagome was the first to lose oxygen and pulled back from his lips. Her cheeks were flushed red and her lashes were wet with tears. Inuyasha kissed each eye gently. "I'm sorry."

"No. I am. I should have let you explain what had happened."

Her hands were fisted in his coat, her knuckles white from the grip. "I didn't use you. I swear it. I was more shocked by the news than you were. All I could think about was leaving this place behind, my sister and cousin, but mostly leaving you. I don't think I could, -no, I can't- but I have to tell you. I took another job."

Golden eyes went from warm to cold. "What?!"

Before he could over react, -which she knew he would- Kagome kissed his reddened nose. "It's not in Seattle, it's only two hours away. I'm moving across the state line, less than a hundred miles away." She watched as he visibly deflated with a huge sigh.

"Oh good. That's better. I'm happy for you-" when her eyes lit up with glee, Inuyasha bent down to brush his lips against hers, softly. "-I mean it."

Kagome giggled as she nuzzled his nose with hers. "I have something for you." Her voice was a whisper against his skin. Just then Kikyou opened the front door and brought out a medium sized box with a large red bow on the top. Gently, she handed the box to Inuyasha as he stared puzzled at the twins. "What-" Kagome smiled. "Just open it."

"Keh." The half-demon removed the lid and what he saw literally had him near tears. He removed the object, holding it as if it would shatter within his grasp, -and considering the age of the gift, it just might. All Inuyasha could see was his mother when he gazed at the snow globe in his hands. It was the exact one his mother had spent years trying to find for sale. The base was silver with golden etchings decorating the base. The globe itself was large and sparkled like a rainbow in the sun. Inside was the ever beautiful, raven-haired angel and from the look in his eyes, the angel resembled his mother, Izayoi. Inuyasha carefully turned it over then back up right again to see the small, white flakes dance in the water around the winged beauty. "How?" He croaked.

"Kagura and I spent the better part of the past few nights looking for it. She found an antique shop in New York that had recently gotten it at an estate sale. She pulled a few strings for me and I purchased it, as is. I thought you'd like it."

"I love it." He whispered. "She would have loved it too." Kagome gave a genuine smile at the man she loved as he gazed at the globe for a few moments more.

"The reason I love this snow globe so much, Ash, is because the silver and gold remind me of Toga, Sesshomaru and you, my sweet boy."

"And the angel inside reminds me of you, momma! I'm gonna buy that for you when I am older. I promise!" Izayoi laughed as she scooped her five year old son into her arms and kissed his cheeks over and over. Inuyasha squealed and squirmed as he attempted to escape her grasp. "Momma that tickles! Only baby need kisses! I'ma big boy now!"

"You will always be my baby." She kissed his nose. "Always."

"-yasha? Hello, can you hear me, Inuyasha?"

Golden eyes snapped up. "What?"

"I said, are you okay?" Kagome cocked her head to the side like a cute puppy would have done, as a worried expression etched across her face.

"Yeah. I was thinking of my mother. How did you know I would come back?"

Kagome winked. "I didn't, but I believe in Christmas Miracles. You know-"

"Christmas Spirit and all that. Yeah. I know." Inuyasha placed the globe back in the box and set it down beside them. "I can't thank you enough. You know I love you. I never told you yesterday, but I fell in love with you the first day we built that snowman nine years ago."

A deep, crimson blush blossomed on her cheeks as she smiled. "I love you too. I'm so happy to be in your arms again." She wrapped her arms around him and stood on her tip-toes to gain better access to his lips as he bent down to meet her halfway.

"This time, I will never let you go." Inuyasha sealed the promise with a kiss.

-IK Epilogue-

"Do I really have to be here?"

Brown eyes snapped to meet golden ones in a heated glare. "For he last time, yes." She hissed. Both jumped as the door, in which they stood before, opened with a jerk.

"Uncle Ash! Aunt Kags! Come in. Kikyou and Suikotsu are already here and so are Sango and Miroku." Ten year old Rin shuffled out of the way to let her favorite Aunt and Uncle in.

Kagome smiled as she made her way into the kitchen to greet the hosts and her sister. When a small head of raven hair peeked over her sister's shoulder, Kagome squealed. Her twin jumped slightly at the sound, but turned with a grin to meet Kagome reaching out with grabby hands, chanting, Gimme-Gimmie. With a grin and an eye roll, Kikyou handed her one year old daughter over to the greedy aunt. Baby talk bubbled from Kagome. "Kaori loves her Aunt Kagome. Doesn't she?" Kagome kissed the child's chubby cheeks as Kaori gurgled and smiled at her silly aunt.

Inuyasha walked up to them to kiss Kaori's cheeks as well. "She's loves her Uncle Ash even more." Rin was standning next to Suikotsu and growled.

"Oh, so now you have a favorite niece?"

Kikyou laughed. "Don't worry sweetie, I think Uncle Ash has enough love to go around."

Grinning, Inuyasha picked Rin up. "Of course I do. You'll always be number one in my book, squirt."

Kaori gave a teary eyed sniffle towards Inuyasha, who almost melted like a popsicle on the fourth of July, until he gave a panicked look. Kaori started to giggle, a small tickle in her brown eyes. "She fooled you." Suikotsu laughed as his daughter's laugh became contagious.

Kagura was in the next room entertaining Miroku and Sango, who were now happily engaged, while Sesshomaru sat next to his wife reading a newspaper. "Oi, don't you get tired of reading those? We own a newspaper company. I'd rather not think of work while at home."

"Hn. That's what makes me more intelligent, little brother." The comment flew right over the half-demon's head.

"So, when are you planning of having kids?" Kikyou asked the lovely couple next to Kagura.

Miroku grinned as he took Sango's hand in his. "We're trying- OW!" A nice size lump formed on his head.

"We'll wait until after we're married and after Kagome there gives us that bundle of joy to love and spoil." Sango gestured to the large baby bump Kagome was now sporting.

Said woman glanced at her husband and then back their family surrounding them. Kagura and Kikyou knew that look all to well. Kagome handed her niece back to her mother as Kikyou eyed her twin suspiciously. "Kagome-"

With a grin, Inuyasha took his wife's hand. "Guys, we have something to say."

Everyone, including Sesshomaru, turned their attention to the couple standing in the doorway. "I went to the doctor to find out the sex of the baby yesterday-"

"Oh I love this part of the pregnancy!" Rin squealed, earning a look from her father. Rolling her golden eyes, she muttered an apology for interrupting the news.

"It's okay, Rin. Anyways, we're not having just one baby-" Inuyasha started.

"We're having twins! A boy and a girl!" Kagome blurted.

"Oh my Gods! Seriously?!" Kikyou hugged her sister with one arm, careful not to squeeze Kaori in the middle. Rin erupted in a YES and hugged Inuyasha rambling on about two more half-demons and their fuzzy ears. Everyone shared a hug and a kiss or two until Sesshomaru gave a snort. "Two offsprings from Inuyasha? How unfortunate. Isn't a man child enough for you woman?"

Kagura's aura flared in the middle of her congratulatory hug to Kagome and the stoic demon rolled his eyes. "Fine. Congratulations, little brother and Kagome." He went back to reading his paper, hiding his face as a smile broke out across his intimidating demeanor. He secretly couldn't wait to have a niece and nephew to spoil, just like his daughter.

As the excitement settled down, everyone gathered at the table for the meal Kagura and Kikyou had prepared. Kaori sat nestled between her parents, Rin nestled between hers with Sango and Miroku on the opposite side of the table. Kagome was next to Kikyou as Inuyasha was between his wife and sister-in-law with Sesshomaru head of the table.

"I never would have expected to be surrounded by a group of people so odd as this one, but I am grateful for the company of family and friends. To my brother and his wife for the oncoming babies. To Sango and the pervert for the oncoming wedding. To Kikyou and Suikotsu for Kaori. And to my wife, -my love- and my daughter, -my joy- for having the patience to deal with me." He raised his wine glass. "I shall never speak this much again, because Kagura is making me make this written out speech- oomph-" a kick to his shin changed his tone, "-I am still grateful for you all. Cheers."

Kagura smiled at the chorus of cheers and clinking glasses and she leaned over to kiss his lips gently, whispering a thank you against his mouth.

Inuyasha noticed the exchange and smiled as he reached over to touch his wife's growing belly, his son and daughter kicked happily against his warm hand. "I love you, Mrs. Tashio."

"I love you too, Mr. Tashio." Kagome kissed his nose.

"I would have never been this happy if it wasn't for you filling that void in my heart with all those Christmas gifts two years ago. You have no idea how happy I was to receive that last gift."

"Which one? My heart or the snow globe?" She giggled.

"Your heart, but the snow globe was an excellent touch." He winked and bent forward to kiss her. "Thank you, for everything, Kagome."

"No matter what, I'll always be by your side." Kagome kissed him gently unaware of the surrounding, genuine smiles of their family directed towards them.

Life couldn't have gotten any better than this.

-Fin-

OH MY GAWD! I finished it. I finished it and it only took 2 months and a few days! I am so damn thrilled to be finished with this. You have no idea. I LOVE everyone who supported this and left me messages, liked and reblogged the series. It means so much! Now, onto my New Years ficlet. keichanz, that one is for you. ;)